Convicted politician gets TV show

NEW ORLEANS – Former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards will star on a new cable TV show with the woman he married after his release from federal prison on a corruption conviction.

In a Facebook exchange Friday, Trina Scott Edwards told The Associated Press she’s currently filming for “The Governor’s Wife,” which will showcase the 34-year-old wife of the octogenarian former governor.

Additional Photos

Former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards and his wife Trina Scott Edwards will appear in a reality show, “The Governor’s Wife,” starting in February on A&E. The Associated Press

According to A&E, the series will follow Trina Edwards as she tries to fit into the former governor’s upscale world while trying to get along with step-daughters almost twice her age and corral her teenage sons.

The series will include Edwin Edwards’ daughters: Anna, a 62-year-old four-time divorcee, and Victoria, described in a news release as “a hardened 60-year-old ex-showgirl.”

Trina has sons from a previous marriage: Logan, 15, and Trevor, 13.

Episodes will include school projects and Trina making a run for president of the local homeowner’s association.

She also discusses the possible addition of a baby to the Edwards clan, according to the news release.

Edwards biographer Leo Honeycutt said he worried the series could damage the former governor’s legacy and his achievements in office.

“I’m afraid for them. I’m afraid what it’s going to do to them. Nobody wants to be a laughingstock, and Louisiana has had enough of that kind of treatment,” Honeycutt said.

Edwin Edwards served four terms as a Democratic governor in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s.

He married Trina in July 2011, shortly after his release from federal prison for his role in a bribery and extortion scheme to rig riverboat casino licenses during his fourth term, which ended in 1996.

“The Governor’s Wife” will premiere on Feb. 27.

Salute to Bond planned during Oscar show

LOS ANGELES – “Skyfall” may be a question mark for an Oscar best picture nomination, but it will be featured at this year’s Academy Awards in another way.

Producers announced Friday that the Feb. 24 ABC telecast will include a tribute to the glamorous secret agent, who hit a milestone in 2012.

Craig Zadan and Neal Meron, who are producing the show, issued a statement revealing “a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday.”

“Skyfall” is a strong contender in technical categories at this year’s Oscars, which is to be hosted by Seth MacFarlane. If the movie winds up on the shortlist for best picture, it could make for an especially 007-filled evening.

It’s been a celebratory year generally for Bond, with “Skyfall” earning good reviews and grossing more than $1 billion worldwide, the first time the franchise has crossed that mark.

‘Luck’ lawsuit claims horses badly treated

LOS ANGELES – Several of the horses used on HBO’s canceled series “Luck” were drugged, underweight and sick during production, an animal rights worker who oversaw conditions on the show alleges in a lawsuit.

Barbara Casey’s suit filed this week says she was wrongfully fired from her post at the American Humane Association after complaining about the conditions horses faced on the show, which was canceled after a series of high-profile animal deaths.

The suit claims four horses died during the show’s production, not three as previously reported. Horses were “often drugged to perform,” and “underweight and sick horses unsuited for work were routinely used” by producers, her lawsuit alleges.

Casey is suing HBO, which has denied abusing horses on the show, and the humane association.

“We took every precaution to ensure that our horses were treated humanely and with the utmost care, exceeding every safeguard of all protocols and guidelines required of the production,” HBO wrote in a statement.

Casey served as director of the association’s Film and Television Unit, which oversees animal welfare and often allows a notice at the end of films and television shows that says no animals were harmed during production.

Here at MaineToday Media we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion.

To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use. Click here to flag and report a comment that violates our terms of use.